Coalburn Miners Welfare Gala Day 2025: A case study
The Coalburn Miners Welfare Gala Day represented the revival of an 87-year-old community tradition that faced an uncertain future following the retirement of the previous committee in late 2024.
The ORIT Cumberhead Community Fund awarded £15,771 to support the delivery of this significant community celebration on Saturday, 5th July 2025.
Project Background and Context
In response to the disbanding of the longstanding committee, a new group of seven volunteers formed in October 2024 to ensure the event's continuation. Despite their limited experience in organising an event of this scale, the committee brought together a diverse range of skills and expertise from across the membership.
Gala Day delivery
The Gala Day featured an exciting and varied programme of activities designed to appeal to all ages. The day began with a village parade that included hired entertainment and a special entry celebrating the Coalburn Miners Welfare's 100th birthday.
Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed a court crowning ceremony, and a sports programme. The committee arranged diverse food and craft stalls showcasing local businesses and unique vendor offerings. Children's activities proved particularly popular, featuring a petting zoo, face painting, a magician, a caricaturist, a hair braider, and glitter tattoos, and an ice cream truck adding to the festive atmosphere.
The heritage society provided a display commemorating Coalburn's heritage from its mining past through to previous Gala Days. The evening concluded with a Family Night at the Coalburn Miners Welfare Hall, offering games, activities, food, and entertainment in a relaxed setting where families could enjoy each other's company.
Participation and Reach
Approximately 600 people from Coalburn and surrounding areas attended the Gala Day. The event brought together the voluntary committee, other community volunteers, local community groups who participated in the parade, local vendors and stallholders, charity representatives, and families from across the area. The committee's strategy of funding entertainment and inflatable hire costs meant these attractions could be offered free or at low cost, removing financial barriers and promoting inclusivity.
Community Impact
The Gala Day achieved its primary objective of fostering community unity. By removing financial barriers to entertainment and community connection, the event promoted equality and ensured enjoyment was accessible to all, increasing attendance from diverse backgrounds. Collaboration among community groups improved significantly, with the inclusive planning process and joint activities serving as a catalyst for increased cooperation across local organisations. The event reduced social isolation by providing opportunities for residents to gather and interact, particularly benefiting older people and those who might otherwise feel disconnected from village life.
Sustainability and Future Plans
The success of the 2025 Gala Day created positive momentum and built a strong foundation for the event's continuation. The committee moved quickly to ensure sustainability, holding a debrief meeting to capture lessons learned and provisionally booking key attractions for the following year. This shift from reactive to proactive planning established a year-round planning cycle.
To ensure long-term viability, the committee strengthened their organisational structure by defining roles to distribute workload and build expertise within the team. Several residents stepped forward wishing to join the organising committee for future events, indicating that the Gala served as a successful gateway for greater civic participation.
Panel Decision and Recognition
The Orit Cumberhead fund, like many community benefit funds, utilises a local decision making panel for grant awards. The Panel appreciated the significant work delivered by the committee in reviving this important community tradition under challenging circumstances. Recognising both the success of the 2025 event and the committee's demonstrated capability and commitment to sustainability, following a further funding application at the end of 2025, the Panel agreed to fund the 2026 Gala Day.
Conclusion
The 2025 Coalburn Miners Welfare Gala Day demonstrated that a committed group of volunteers, supported by appropriate funding and strong community backing, could revive and successfully deliver a large-scale community event. The project not only preserved an 87-year tradition but strengthened community cohesion, reduced social isolation, and built organisational capacity for future initiatives.
Read more about the Orit Cumberhead Community Fund